Labeling device



Oct. 24, 1961 A. M. MCFARLANE LABELING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 1'?, 1959 Oct. 24, 1961 A. M. MCFARLANE 3,005,744

LABELING DEVICE Filed Aug. 17, 1959 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FlG. 2

IN VEN TOR. ARTHUR M. MQFARLANE Oct. 24, 1961 A, M MCFARLANE 3,005,744

LABELING DEVICE Filed Aug. 17, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ARTHUR M. MQFARLANE Oct. 24, 1961 A. M. MCFARLANE LABELING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 1'?, 1959 INVENTOR.

ARTHUR M. MQFARLANE Maarn?.

United States Patent jv 3,005,744 LABELING DEVICE Arthur M. McFarlane, Rochester, NY., assignor to Russers, Inc., Rochester, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Aug. 17, 1959, Ser. No. 834,113 12 Claims. (Cl. 156-566) The present invention relates to meat packaging apparatus, 4and more particularly to apparatus for placing a descriptive label on individual quantities of mea-t. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for labeling individual sta'cks of cold cuts such as cooked ham, bologna, salami, liverwurst and the like.

At the present time, cold `cuts are sliced and separated into predetermined weighed quantities at the meat processing plant. These individual quantities or stacks of cold cuts are then placed on a moving conveyor which feeds them into a machine that vacuum packages each individual stack of cold cuts automatically in a transparent wrapper. This transparent wrapping material is supplied from large rolls to the packaging machine.

Heretofore, in order to identify each individual quantity of -packaged meat, the descriptive material identifying the type of meat was either printed on wrapping material, or the wrapping material was completely transparent, and an operator stood at one end of the conveyor and placed a proper identifying label on each stack of cold cuts as it was traveling on the conveyor into the packaging machine. The descriptive material on these labels was visible through the transparent wrapper after packaging.

Both these procedures were ineflieient and costly. In the case of the roll of Wrapping material which had the descriptive material printed thereon, each time a different kind of cold cuts was to be packaged it was necessary to remove the roll of Wrapping material already in the machine and substitute another roll having the proper descriptive material printed thereon. Where the labels were placed on the individual stacks of cold cuts by hand it was not only ya tedious manual operation but it was diiicu'lt for the operator to properly position the label on each stack of meat whileit was traveling on the conveyor. t

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a device which automatically places labelson individual stack-s of cold cuts while they are traveling on a moving conveyor.

Another object of this inventionis to provide a device of the character described which is controlledvand actuyated by the moving conveyor. ,l l

Another object of the invention is to provide-apparatus of the character described which permits of 'correctly labeling different kinds of cold cuts merely by substituting one pile oflabels for another.

v A further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of the character describedwhich successively removes a label from a pile of labels and positions it on a respective stack of cold cuts in Vsuccession while the cold cuts are traveling on a moving conveyor into la packaging machine. a

A still further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described which can be attached to the' conveyor of practicallyl any meat packaging machine.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the drawings, the-specification, and the appended claims.

In the drawings: j

FIG. l is a fragmentary side elevation of the feed conveyor of a meat packaging machine equipped with labeling apparatus constructed according to one embodiment of this invention;

Mice

FIG. 2 is la fragmentary plan view of the apparatus Y shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an elevation on an enlarged scale of a cam which regulates the-operation of the vacuum portion of the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is an elevation on an enlarged scale of a cam which regulates the admission of air pressure to the apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary labels-eye view of that portion of the apparatus which carries the labels and positions them on a respective quantity of meat; and

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view showing in solid lines the apparatus lifting a label from a stack of labels and showing in dotted lines various positions of the apparatus as it moves to place a label on a stack of cold cuts.

This embodiment of the invention is constructed to be operatively attached to the feed conveyor of a meat packaging machine. Positioned above the conveyor is a container which holds a pile of labels. A transfer device which is provided with a pair of resilient cups and ail' ducts is attached to a Stationary portion of the machine and is connected by suitable levers and gearing to a sprocket wheel which is in mesh with and driven by the conveyor. The movement of the sprocket wheel causes the transfer :device to alternately swing from a position where the resilient cups engage the top label of a pile positioned in a label holder to a position where the cups are adjacent a stack of cold cuts traveling on the conveyor. Rigidly attached to the sprocket wheel and rotatable therewith are =a pair of cams. One of the cams controls a source of vacuum to the central portion of each resilient cup so that when the transfer device is in a position where the .cups engage the top label of the pile of labels, the vacuum causes the label to adhere to the cups, and when the transfer device registers with a stack of cold cuts the vacuum is shut off. The other cam controls a source of air pressure so that When the transfer device is positioned properly over a particular stack of cold cuts, air is forced through theair ducts, to force a portion of the label into proper position in engagement with the stack of cold cuts. One of the air ducts is between the resilient cups so that the label is positively forced from the transfer device when the vacuum is shut off.

Referring to the drawings, the -feed conveyor assembly is generally designated at 10. It leads to a packaging apparatus (not shown). The conveyor assembly 10 comprises a pair of elongate, spaced, parallel stationary frame members 12 which are connected together by a plurality of cross members 14, one of which is illustrated in `FIG. 3. The conveyor includes a pair of parallel, endless chains l16 which are spaced from each other laterally, and each of lwhich comprises links 18 that are pivotally connected to each other. Slats 20 are attached adjacent their ends to some of the links 18 of the chains 16 and serve to support stacks of meat such as 22. A plurality of stop plates 24 are attached across certain links 18 of the chains 16 to space the individual stacks of cold cuts at predetermined intervals along the conveyor. In the embodiment shown, there is a stop plate 24 on every ninth link 18 of each chain. The chains 16 are supported by a plurality of rollers 26 which are carried by brackets 28 that are secured to the stop plates 24. These rollers ride on upper surfaces 30 of each of the frame members 12 during the travel of the conveyor. Rigidly secured to each iframe member y12 by brackets B2 is a pair of elongate 'guide .members 34, which are adjacent to but spaced above the slats 20.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention is adapted for placing labels simultaneously on two stacks of cold cuts which are positioned on the slats 20 of the conveyor side by side between the stop plates 24. A sprocket wheel 36 (FIG. 3) is affixed to a shaft 38 which is rotatably joarnaled in a Ibushing 40 on a strap 42 that is attached to one of the frame members 12. This sprocket 36 is in mesh with the links 13 of the lower reach of one of the chains 16 and is driven in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. l when the conveyor is moving.

A crank plate 44 extends radially lfrom and is rigidly attached to the shaft 33. A rod 46 is pivotally attached to the outer end of this plate 44 at 48. 'I'he other end of the rod 46 is pivotally attached at 50 to one end of a lever 52. This lever 52 is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends to a lplate `56 secured to one of the frame members 12. The lever 52 drives a rack 60 which is mounted to slide back and `forth between a plurality of guide rollers 62 that are mounted on a block 64 that is attached to one of the members 34. `One end of the rack 60 is pivotally attached by a link 66 to a link member 67 that is pivotally attached to the upper end of lever 52 at 53.

Mounted at each side of the conveyor is a pair of rods 68 which extend above the conveyor and which are rigidly attached to respective frame members '12 by brackets 70 into which they are threaded. The upper end of each rod 68 is provided with a bearing 72. These bearings rotatably support a shaft 74 that extends across and above the conveyor. A gear 75 Iwhich is in mesh with the teeth of the rack 60 is rigidly attached to the rotatable shaft 74. Extending radially from the shaft 74 is a pair of spaced arms 76 which are rigidly attached to this shaft 74. The outer ends of the two arms 76 rotatably support a rod 78. The rod 74 passes through a 4bushing 80 to which there is secured a segmental gear 82. This ygear S2 is rigidly held in a stationary position by engagement of a radial projection 83 of the gear in a slot of a xed strap 84 (FIG. 7) that is secured at opposite ends to the rods 68.

Rigidly mounted on the rod 78 .is a gear 85 which is positioned to mesh with the stationary segmental gear 82.

Rigidly attached to the rod 78 by spaced, parallel tubular mem-bers 87 is a pair of identical, spaced transfer devices 89. Each transfer device comprises a tube 86 which is closed at its opposite ends and wh-ich is disposed parallel to rod 78 but offset therefrom. Each tube 86 is connected to and communicates with a pair of tubular members 88 which are spaced from each other and extend normal to the axis of the associated tube 86. Each tubular member 88 carries 'at its outer end a resilient vacuum cup 90. Mounted transversely of each tubular member 8'7 to communicate therewith is a tubular member 93. The two tubular members 93 are closed at their outer ends, 4but their opposed, inner ends are connected by a conduit 92 (FIG. 2). A flexible tube 94 (FIG. l) is connected to one of the tubes 87, to create suction for the cups'90 of both transfer devices.

Each transfer device includes a tubular member 98 (FIG. 6) which is closed at both ends and which is attached adjacent one end by welding or brazing to the rod 78. An elongate tube 99 is disposed between the cups 90 of each transfer device adjacent one end of tube 98. A tube 95, which is closed at both ends, extends crosswise of tube 98 adjacent its other end and communicates therewith. Tubes 100 and 101, respectively, aligned with each cup 90 of each transfer device, communicate with the tube 95 of the respective transfer device. A tubular connecting membe-r 102. which is closed at both ends, is attached to each member 98 crosswise thereof between the tubes 99 and 95. The tubular members 1012 of the two transfer devices are connected to each other by a flexible tube 103 (FIG. 2) so that all the hollow members 99, 100, and 101 are in communication with each other. A flexible tube 104 (FIG. l) connects one of the members 102 (FIG. 6) to a source of air pressure as will be described in detail hereinafter. The ends of the members 99, 100 and 101 are in the same plane and are disposed inwardly slightly from the working surface of the cups 90.

A pair of label holders 106 (FIG. 7) are mounted above the conveyor. Each label holder is adapted to hold a plurality of labels, such ras I108. These labels are urged forwardly in their holder by a movable bottom follower 110 which is urged Vforwardly -by coil springs 1'12. Each label holder confronts the cups 90 land the associated air tubes 99,100 and 101 of a transfer device. The holders 106 are rigidly attached to the members 34 of the conveyor by brackets 105.

A source of vacuum is connected to a tube 114 (FIG. `1) `which leads to the intake of a vacuum control valve 116. The outlet of the valve 116 is vconnected to the tube 94, previously mentioned. This valve is Vnormally closed. When opened lby depressing a lever 117, vacuumis created in all the cups 90 when they are in engagement 'with a label 108. Air under lpressure is supplied from aline 119 through a conventional pressure reducer 120 which is connected to the intake of an air Vpressure control valve 122 by a tube 124. 'Ihe outlet'of the'valve 122 is connected by the previously mentioned tube 104 to control the members 99, 100, and 101. This valve is normally closed. When opened by depressing a lever V126, air under pressure is blown through the hollow members 99, 100, and 101.

The levers 117 and 126 are operated by Vlevers 128 and 130, respectively, to open and close the valves 116 and 122. These levers 128 and 130 are of right angular shape and are pivotally mounted intermediate their ends on 'a frame member 12 at 132. Lever 128 is operated 'by a cam 134 which is rigidly mounted on the 'shaft 38 and is axially positioned on the shaft so that the circumferential surface of the cam engages the lever 128.` When the portion of the cam surface denoted at X in FIG. 4 engages the lever 128, the vacuum valve 116 `is open; and when the portion of the cam surface denoted at Z is-in engagement with the lever the valve 116 is `jclosed. The lever 130 lis operated by a cam A136 which is rigidly mounted on the shaft 38 and is axially positioned so Vthat its circumferential surface engag Ithis lever 130. When the portion of the cam 136, denoted at S, engages the lever l130 the air pressure valve 122 is open, and when the surface of the cam 136.

denoted at T engages the lever, the valve l122 is closed. The cams 134 and 136 are positioned relative to each other so that the surfaces X and S of the two cams overlap, permitting the valves 116 and 122 momentarily to be opened simultaneously.

To use the apparatus, the followers 110 of the label holders are compressed against the tension of the springs 112, and a plurality of labels 108 are inserted in each label holder that `identify the meat to be packaged. Stacks of cold cuts 22 are positioned lon the conveyor inconventional manner. As the kconvey-or chains 16 move from left to right as viewed in the drawings, one of the chains rotates the sprocket wheel 36 which vsimultaneously drives the crank 44 and the cams.134 and 136. Assuming that the suction cups 90 are in position shown in FIGS. l and 2, the position 'of the cam 134 is such that the `vacuum valve 1'16is` open, thus creating -asuction in the vacuum cups 90. Thus labels are picked up out'of the two holders 106, the cups grippingfeaehlabel adjacent one edge of the label as shown in FIG. 7. The rotation of the crank moves the rack '60 to the v'right as viewed in FIG. 1, thus causing the gear "75 to rotate in a counterclockwise 'direction. The arms 76 are thus Vcausedto move in a counterclockwise direction causing :the gear l85 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction and revolve on 'the periphery of the segmental gear `A82. The rotation of the gear causes the shaft 78 to rotate which results in the swinging of the cups counterclockwise about the axis of the rod 78 as shown in dotted'lines in FIG. 7.l The transfer device shown in dotted lines in FIG. 7 is denoted as 89 in its intermediate position, yand as 89" in its position adjacent a respective stack of cold cuts. When the cups v90 are positioned directly over respective stacks of cold cuts 22, and prior to the shutting off of the vacuum valve 116, the cam 136 engages the lever 130 to open the air pressure valve 122 thus causing air under pressure to flow out of the members 99, 100 andV 101 respectively against the labels. The air pressure from the members 100 and 101 force the free end of the label, or that end which is not held by the cups 90, into contact with -a respective stack of meat while the suction cups still hold the other end of the label. Since the meat is moist the free ends of the labels adhere to the meat. Momentarily thereafter the cam 134 closes the suction valve 116, thus permitting the air from the member 99 to positively disengage the labels from the cups 90 and force them into Contact with the respective stacks of meat. Thus the labels are properly positioned o-n the stacks of meat as they enter the packaging machine.

The further rotation of the cam 136 by the sprocket wheel 36 causes the air pressure valve 122 to shut off and the crank 52 to move the rack 60 in a direction from right to left which causes the gear 75 to rotate in a clockwise direction thus causing the transfer devices to revolve about theaxis of the rod 78 to return to the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Just prior to engagement of the 'suction cups 90 with other labels 108 the cam 134 causes the vacuum valve 116 to open so that the cups will pick up new labels. The cycle repeats then as previously described.

When a different type of meat is to be packaged, the remaining labels 108 may be removed from the label holders 106 and proper ones inserted therein.

It is apparent that by adjusting the throw of the crank 44 and the position of the gear 75 relative to the rack 60, the labeling device will operate for placing a label properly on stacks of meat that are positioned closer together or farther apart than shown herein.

Although in 'the embodiment shown two stacks of meat are arranged side by side on the conveyor, itis anticipated that only one stack of meat may be located thereon, thus necessitating the use of only one label holder and only one transfer device. It is also anticipated that if the label is of different width than is ordinarily now used, more than two vacuum cups, or less than two may be used as required or desirable; v

I Thus, I have provided apparatusfor positioning labels on individual stacks of meat while stacks of meat are traveling on a moving conveyor. Moreover, the apparatus accurately positions the labels thereon so that they will not drift or otherwise be in an improper position. The cooperation of the vacuum and air pressure, that is, with the air pressure effecting engagement of a particular label with a stack of meat just prior to the release of the vacuum,insures that the label will engage'properly each stack 'of meat.

While the invention has been described in connection with a specific embodiment thereof, it Will be understood that it is capable of further modification, and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as `come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth, and as fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. Apparatus for labeling meat as the meat is carried alongvby a moving conveyor, said apparatus comprising a label holder mounted adjacent said conveyor, a transfer device, a suction cup mounted on said transfer device adjacent one end thereof in position to engage a label in said label holder adjacent one edge of the label, an loutlet port on `the transfer device spaced from said one end, means for swingingthe transfer device from a position adjacent said label holder to a position adjacent said conveyor, means for supplying air under pressure to said 6 port when said device is adjacent said conveyor and while the label is still held by the cup to blow said opposite end of the label onto the meat, means for thereafter disengaging said one end of the label from lthe transfer device.

2. Apparatus for labeling meat as the meat is carried along by a moving conveyor, said apparatus 'comprising a label holder mounted adjacentv said conveyor, a transfer device comprising a suction cup mounted on said transfer device in position to engage the foremost label in said label holder, an outlet port on the transfer device spaced from said suction cup, means for connecting said suction cup to a source of vacuum when said cup is adjacent the label holder, means for swinging said transfer member from a position adjacent said label holder to a position adjacent said conveyor, means for supplying air under pressure to said port when said device is adjacent the conveyor and while the label is still held by said vacuum source to blow one end of the label onto the meat, and means for thereafter disengaging the rest of the label from said transfer device.

3. Apparatus for labeling meat as the meat is carried along by a moving conveyor, said apparatus comprising a label holder mounted adjacent said conveyor, a transfer device, a pair of suction cups mounted on said transfer device adjacent one end thereof in position to engage a label adjacent one edge of the label, an outlet port on the transfer device spaced from said one end, a second outlet port adjacent said one end between vsaid suction cups, means for swinging the transfer member from a position adjacent said label holder to a position adjacent said conveyor, means for supplying air under pressure to said ports when said device is adjacent the conveyor and while the label is still held by the suction cups to blow the opposite end of the label onto the meat, means including the air flowing from said second outlet port 4for thereafter disengaging the label from said suction cups.

4. Apparatus for labeling meat as the meat is carried along a moving conveyor, comprising a holder mounted above the conveyor for holding a stack of labels, a transfer device mounted above the conveyor to pivot on a horizontal axis, a suction means pivotally mounted on said transfer device on an axis parallel to and spaced from the pivotal axis of the transfer device, means .driven by the conveyor and connected to said transfer device to pivot said transfer device about its horizontal axis, and means connected to said transfer device and operative upon pivotal movement of said transfer device in one direction to cause said suction means simultaneously to pivot about' its pivotal axis to move said suction means from a first position in registry with said holder to a second position in registry with meat on the conveyor, whereby said suction means picks the topmost label off the .stack of labels and positions it on the meat, and means forcing the label on the meat when said suction means is in said second position and then disengaging the label from said suction means.

5. Apparatus for labeling meat as the meat is carried along a moving conveyor, said apparatus comprising a holder for holding a plurality of labels mounted adjacent said conveyor, a` stationary gear mounted adjacent said conveyor and spaced from said holder, a first member pivoted on a horizontal axis adjacent to but spaced from said conveyor, a second gear mounted on said first member for rotation on an axis spaced from said horizontal axis and in mesh with said stationary gear, a second member pivotally connected to said first member coaxially with said second gear and secured to said second gear to rotate therewith, a suction means attached to said second member, means driven by said conveyor to pivot said first member about its pivotal axis, thereby simultaneously to rotate said second gear upon its axis to move s'aid suction means from a first position `in registry with said holder to a second position in registry with meat ongsad conveyor, an outlet port mounted on said second member adjacent said suction means, means connecting said suction means toa vacuum source, means connectingsaid outlet port to an air pressure source, a first valve operative to control the connection of said vacuum source to said suction means, a second valve operative to control the connection of said airrpressure source to said outlet port, means operated by said moving conveyor to open said rst valve when said suction means is .in saidrst position to apply suction to a label carried by said holder to cause said suction means to pick up said label, and means operated by said moving conveyor to open said second valve when said suction means is in said'second position to force said label against the meat by said air pressure and to then close said first valve to release said label from said suction means.

6.V An apparatus according to claim wherein said suction means is positioned `on said second member to engage said label at an end portion thereof when said suction means is in said first position, and wherein said outlet port is positioned on said second member to blow the opposite end portion of said label onto the meat when said suction means is in said second position while said first valve remains open.

7. Apparatus for labeling meat as the meat is carried along by a moving conveyor, said apparatus having a label holder mounted adjacent said conveyor for holding a plurality of labels, a rack movably rmounted adjacent said conveyor, means driven by said conveyor and connected to said rack to reciprocate said rack during movement of said conveyor in one direction, a transfer device pivotally mounted adjacent said conveyor on a horizontal axis, a support pivotally mounted on said transfer device on an axisfspaced from the pivotal axis of said transfer device, suction means mounted on said support and disposed to engage a label in said holder adjacent one edge thereof, an outlet port on said support ladjacent said suction means, a stationary gear mounted above said conveyor coaxial with the pivotal axis of said transfer `device, a second gear attached to said transfer device in mesh with said stationary gear and mounted to revolve on said first gear about the pivotal axis of said transfer device, said support being secured to said second gear for simultaneous movement therewith, means operatively connecting said rack to said transfer device to pivot said transfer device about its own axis upon movement of said rack in one direction, said means also causing said second gear to revolve upon said stationary gear to move said suction means from a irst position in registry with said label holder to a second position in registry with meat on said conveyor, means `for connecting a vacuum source to said suction means, means for connecting an air pressure source to said outlet port, a first valve Lfor controlling the connection of said vacuum source to said suction means, a second valve for controlling the connectionof said air pressure source to said outlet port, means driven by said conveyor to open said rst valve when said transfer arm is in said first position to cause `Said suction means to pick up a label `by one end portion thereof, and means driven by said conveyor to open said second valve when said transfer arm is in said second position and While the label is still held by said suction means to blow the opposite end of the label against the meat, and means for thereafter disengaging said one end portion of the label lfrom said suction means.

8. Apparatus for labeling meat as the meat is carried by a moving conveyor, said apparatus comprising a label holder mounted above said conveyor for holding a plurality' of labels, a'tirst shaft rotatably mounted above said conveyor, a second shaft rotatably mounted parallel to said first shaft and spaced therefrom, a suction means rigidly connected to said second shaft, a stationary gear rigidly mounted -above said conveyor coaxial with said rstshaft, a second gear coaxially and rigidly attached to said second shaft and in mesh with said iirst gear, means driven by said conveyor `and connected to said first Vshaft tovrotate said first shaft independently of said stationary gear, a pivotal support rigidly connected .to said first shaft and rotatably supporting'said second shaft to cause said suction means to revolve about the axis of said second shaft andsaid second `shaft to revolve about the axis of said rst shaft to move said suction means from a first position in registry with a label holder to a second position in registry with meat on said conveyor during movement of said conveyor, means for connecting a source of vacuum to said suction means, an outlet port mounted adjacent said suction means, -a first valve for controlling the connection of said vacuum source and said suction means, means for connecting a source of air pressure to said outlet port, a second valve for controlling the connection of said source to said vacuum means, first and second cam means driven by said conveyor Vto actuate said first and second valves, respectively, during movement of said conveyor, said rst cam means operating said `first valve to open said rst valve when said suction means is in said first position to apply suction to said suction means and to close said first valve when said suction means is in said second position -to shut olf the suction, said second cam means operating ksaid second valve to open said second valve when said lsuction means is in said second position to connect said outlet port to said source of air pressure to force the label into engagement with the meat.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said suction means is positioned to engage a label 'adjacent one edge portion thereof when said suction means is in registry with said holder, said outlet port is positioned to blow -against the opposite edge portion of said label when said suction means is in said second position, and said second cam means is operative to open said second valve while said label is still held by said suction means to blow said opposite edge portion of said label onto the meat, and said first cam means closes said rst valve while said second valve is open.

l0. Apparatus for labeling meat as the meat is carried along by a moving conveyor, comprising a holder 'for holding a plurality of labels mounted adjacent the conveyor, a transfer device mounted to move alternately from a first position in registry with said holder to a second position in registry with meat on the conveyor, means carried by said transfer device for picking up a label from said holder adjacent one of the edges thereof when the transfer device is in said rst position, lmeans for forcing the opposite edge of said label against the meat when the transfer device is in said second position, means for thereafter disengaging said label from said transfer device, and means for effecting the described movement of said transfer device.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said means for effecting movement of said transfer device is operated by the conveyor.

l2. Apparatus yfor labeling meat as the meatis carried along by a moving conveyor, comprising a holder for holding a plurality of labels mounted' adjacent the conveyor, a transfer device mounted to move V'alternately from a first position in registry with the holder to' a second position in registry wtih meat on the conveyor, a suction means mounted on said transfer devicevand positioned to pick up a label adjacent one of its edges when the transfer device is in registry with the holder, air pressure means effective to force the opposite edgeof the label against the meat when the transfer device is lin said second position, means for thereafter dis'engaging said label from said suction means, and means for eecting the described movement of said transfer device.

References Cited in the lfile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. APPARATUS FOR LABELING MEAT AS THE MEAT IS CARRIED ALONG BY A MOVING CONVEYOR, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING A LABEL HOLDER MOUNTED ADJACENT SAID CONVEYOR, A TRANSFER DEVICE, A SUCTION CUP MOUNTED ON SAID TRANSFER DEVICE ADJACENT ONE END THEREOF IN POSITION TO ENGAGE A LABEL IN SAID HOLDER ADJACENT ONE EDGE OF THE LABEL, AN OUTLET PORT OF THE TRANSFER DEVICE SPACED FROM SAID ONE END, MEANS FOR SWINGING THE TRANSFER DEVICE FROM A POSI- 